Many state lawmakers will head into their budget-focused session this week fresh off a two-day retreat discussing education in North Carolina.
Republican State Senator Mike Lee says the retreat put on by education non-profit The Hunt Institute gave lawmakers from both parties the chance to hear from policy experts on early childcare, teacher recruitment and workforce development.
"But more importantly during the two-day session we get the opportunity to interact, have meals together, talk at breaks," he said.
Like Lee, Democratic Senator Sydney Batch says the retreat should help foster cooperation in the coming session.
"I believe it's hard to hate up close," she said, "So, if we continue to nurture these relationships and remember that we can argue about five percent, that 95 percent of the time that we agree then are working together for a common good and purpose."
Legislative work begins on Wednesday.